Top doctors have hit back at claims their chief executive should resign.

Consultants and surgeons from South Tyneside General Hospital have signed an open letter in support of Lorraine Lambert after a staff member called for her resignation.

The surgeon, who refused to be named, said Ms Lambert should resign because of the way she handled the tribunal of Dr Feyi Awotona.

The consultant gynaecologist won a case of unfair dismissal because of racial discrimination against the South Tyneside Health Care NHS Trust in April 2003, when the tribunal ordered her reinstatement.

However, today senior staff at South Tyneside Hospital hit back. An open letter, signed by nearly 40 consultants, backs the chief executive. Consultant gastro-enterologist Colin Rees said: "We want Lorraine to know we are all behind her and know how hard she has worked to transform this hospital."